Ozone injection method and apparatus

Abstract

A apparatus for injecting ozone into the water of a swimming pool comprising a movable head adapted to float on the water in a pool, a water-responsive drive coupled to the head, and at least one flexible conduit coupled to the head and having at least one opening therein. Water under pressure is supplied to the flexible conduit to cause it to move and to the water-responsive drive to cause it to propel the head through the water of the pool. Ozone is injected into the flexible conduit and out of the opening therein to mix with the water in the swimming pool.

I claim: 
     
       1. A method of injecting ozone into the water of a swimming pool comprising: providing a swimming pool cleaner which includes a movable head, a water-responsive drive coupled to the head, and at least one flexible conduit coupled to said head and having at least one opening therein;   placing the head and the flexible conduit into a swimming pool;   supplying water under pressure to the flexible conduit to cause movement of the flexible conduit to clean a surface of the swimming pool and to the water-responsive drive to cause the head to move about in the pool; and   injecting ozone into the water under pressure supplied to the flexible conduit discharging the ozone carried through the flexible conduit and out of said opening to mix with the water in the swimming pool.   
     
     
       2. A method as defined in claim 1 including discharging water under pressure with ozone therein through the water-responsive drive and into the water of the swimming pool. 
     
     
       3. A method as defined in claim 1 wherein said step of supplying includes supplying water from a location outside of the swimming pool to the flexible conduit and said step of injecting is carried out outside of the swimming pool. 
     
     
       4. An ozone injecting cleaner for a swimming pool comprising: a movable head;   a water-responsive drive coupled to the head;   at least one flexible conduit coupled to said head and having at least one opening therein;   conduit means for supplying water under pressure to said flexible conduit to cause movement of the flexible conduit for use in cleaning a surface of the swimming pool and to the water-responsive drive to cause the head to move about in the pool;   a source of ozone; and   means for injecting ozone from the source into said conduit means whereby the ozone is carried by the water under pressure through said flexible conduit and out said opening to mix with the water of the swimming pool.   
     
     
       5. An ozone-injecting cleaner as defined in claim 4 wherein the water-responsive drive includes a jet which discharges water under pressure with ozone therein to the swimming pool. 
     
     
       6. An ozone-injecting cleaner as defined in claim 4 including a plurality of said flexible conduits coupled to the head and to the conduit means so that they move and can clean one or more surfaces of the swimming pool and can discharge ozone therefrom to mix with the water of the swimming pool. 
     
     
       7. An ozone-injecting cleaner as defined in claim 4 wherein said injecting means includes a nozzle having a throat through which the water under pressure can pass and a conduit coupling the ozone source and the throat whereby the ozone is entrained in the water under pressure. 
     
     
       8. An ozone-injecting cleaner as defined in claim 4 wherein the source of ozone includes an ozone generator and said ozone-injecting cleaner includes timer means for controlling the periods during which the ozone generator generates ozone. 
     
     
       9. An ozone-injecting cleaner as defined in claim 4 wherein the head is floatable.